Five remote working must-haves

At the start of the year, I never would have imagined that by mid-March I’d be working remotely full time.

As a big advocate for flexible working, I’ve worked from home one to two days a week for the past five years. I love the peace and quiet, the lack of distractions, the ability to focus more easily and the convenience of no commute and being able to prepare dinner or put a load of washing on between virtual meetings.

But like most people, the shift to 100 per cent remote working has taken some adjustment. Besides the essentials of having a safe and ergonomic workspace, natural filtered light, adequate heating and cooling and taking regular breaks, there are some other things I couldn’t do without.

After six months working from home, here are the products and services that have made my time working in isolation a positive experience.

Apple AirPods Pro – $399

With a customisable fit for all-day comfort, Apple’s AirPod Pros have been by my side the whole time. Marathon virtual meetings have been made so much more bearable with the excellent sound quality of these earbuds. Unlike some computer headphones, they can barely be seen  and my colleagues can hear me crystal clear. What’s more, it that I love how they transition to the perfect running earphones faster that I can hit go on my running playlist. 

lululemon The Reversible Mat 5mm

While I don’t miss my hour-long commute to work, I do miss the incidental exercise walking parts of the way provided. 

According to a new study that focused on physical activity in Britain, most of us — not surprisingly — have been less physically active since the pandemic and its waves of lockdowns and quarantines began. I’ve maintained my thrice-weekly runs and tried to practice yoga or do a HIIT workout as well. 

My lululemon 5mm reversible yoga mat has been a god-send for home workouts and made work and stretch breaks a breeze. It’s designed with a little extra cushion for hips, knees, and floor poses and the natural rubber base provides plenty of cushioning and grip. 

Kogan Adjustable Laptop Stand – $49.99

While I have a good desk and iMac set up in the office, sometimes my partner needs to work from home too. When this happens, I take my laptop out to the kitchen table. Working on a laptop is okay for short periods of time, but after a while I need to stand and that’s where the Kogan Adjustable Laptop Stand comes in. 

It transforms my kitchen table into a standing desk in no time. The flexible arms can be rotated 360 degrees and easily adjusted to any angle and height, making it a breeze to find the perfect position.

Apple Watch Series 6 – from $599

The latest version of this multifunction sports and lifestyle watch completely redefines what a watch can do. Apple Watch Series 6 expands the health capabilities of previous Apple Watch models with a new feature that conveniently measures the oxygen saturation of the user’s blood, so they can better understand their overall fitness and wellness. 

When working remotely, the watch’s wellness complications are what makes its the best remote working partner. I really value the Breathe app, which reminds me to take a minute to breathe and practice mindfulness. The regular prompts to stand are also helpful and when you get sucked into the zone, the soft haptic reminder that you have a meeting in 15 minutes is almost as good as a personal assistant. 

Glo yoga – from $25.00 a month

With yoga studios shut because of COVID-19 restrictions, my monthly subscription to Glo has allowed me to continue to practice in the comfort of my home or office.

The app is designed to help you feel better in body and mind. Get unlimited access to the best online yoga, meditation, Pilates & fitness classes for around $25 a month.My favourite classes are the morning power-up sessions and the workouts tailored for runners. 

Nike Fleece Crew – $70

The days of wearing smart work wear seem light years away. I always wished I could wear active wear to work as it’s luxuriously comfortable, and these past six months I have allowed me to do it day in, day out (except for the off Board or external meeting). 

My go-to work outfit is a pair of Nike running tights or tracksuit pants (because no one sees these anyway) and a base layer with a simple and stylish Nike Crew Fleece. 

This Nike Sportswear Essential Women’s Fleece Crew updates the classic comfort of semi-brushed fleece with raglan sleeves and ribbed details. It has a soft, lightweight feel, making it perfect for everyday wear.